It Might Be Time to Admit the Great VR Experiment Has Failed - HowToGeek
- Thread starter adamsapple
- Start date
kiphalfton
Member
Yup.
You're essentially paying $350+ (at the very least) per headset... for what like 1-2 good exclusives.
Maybe this whole thing wouldn't be that big of an issue, if not for cost of headsets, but even then it's hard justifying having 3-4 headsets laying around. If you have kids, whatever, but even then VR is still a freaking expensive investment.
Also can't imagine resale value is great and/or there's a very big market.
Last edited:
Doctor Hades
Member
I own a PS VR2 headset, my first experience with VR but while the tech is impressive, the headset has remained unused since two weeks after I got it.
The problem for me is the clumsiness of the whole experience - the headset isn't comfortable to wear for long periods and requires a lot of tinkering with so the image looks right plus you need space to use it safely - but, worse, is the lack of compelling games that showcase the technology. VR headsets are also prohibitively expensive and it isn't something you can see before you buy, you really have to try it. All those things make VR a very niche experience.
Until people can just pop on a pair of glasses and experience VR like in the Caprica series or experience VR like in the Star Trek The Next Generation holodecks then I think it is fair to say that VR will remain very much a fad, just like 3D was before it.
The problem for me is the clumsiness of the whole experience - the headset isn't comfortable to wear for long periods and requires a lot of tinkering with so the image looks right plus you need space to use it safely - but, worse, is the lack of compelling games that showcase the technology. VR headsets are also prohibitively expensive and it isn't something you can see before you buy, you really have to try it. All those things make VR a very niche experience.
Until people can just pop on a pair of glasses and experience VR like in the Caprica series or experience VR like in the Star Trek The Next Generation holodecks then I think it is fair to say that VR will remain very much a fad, just like 3D was before it.
BigDeadFreak
Member
DirtInUrEye
Member
Only when it's as easy as slipping on a pair of glasses and it just works will VR really go mainstream.
PC VR with META devices is cool, but the sheer amount of setup and faff involved is still atrociously bad.
PC VR with META devices is cool, but the sheer amount of setup and faff involved is still atrociously bad.
RafterXL
Member
Yes, it's a giant pain in the dick and for 99% of the experiences just not worth it. My favorite VR game was RE7 and it was amazing, VR feels like it is made for horror games, but every time I broke it out it was a big ordeal, and frankly most other games haven't been worth the trouble. I thought PSVR2 would reel me back in but I literally took it out of the box, played with it for a couple days and it sat in the box until last week when I gave it to my nephew with my old PS5. It's just a pain in the ass and until it's not it's never going to catch on.
Stitch
Gold Member
You put the headset on, start steam link/virtual desktop and start the game. If that's too complicated for you.. well..
Miyazaki’s Slave
Gold Member
I respect your opinion here but I do think that stand out VR titles don't get the exposure they deserve.
While Alex is a fun time (just my opinion) I do not think it is the pinnacle of VR gaming especially given the cost of entry (decent-ish gaming PC...a 2080 will get the job done easy, and a quest 3 headset...).
There are so many other games that offer better immersion (imo) than Alex and some of those run natively on the quest 3 (batman for example).
Personally, I think as "spatial computing" (ugh....) gains traction more and more folks will have XR headsets/facial attachments of some sort the adoption will be massive. How long that takes is unknown, but immersive entertainment is the future.
Also, I remember reading an industry report a few months ago showing the uptick in VR adoption tied to F2P content...will try to find that in my box and link it here.
hemo memo
You can't die before your death
Maybe Apple Vision Pro 3 or 4.
fart town usa
Member
I dunno.
I recently bought a Q3s and have been playing/buying games, that's on top of the nearly 200 titles I own for PSVR 1&2.
The hate boner for VR is truly bizarre. It's a fun way to play games and it doesn't take resources away from any major studio, because they aren't supporting the medium. All people are doing is shitting on obscure indie devs, usually in Eastern Europe.
However, I suspect some of you might be more interested in VR if it allowed you to get you gay romance fix. Sadly, that seems to only be available in flat games like Assassin's Creed Shadows.
I recently bought a Q3s and have been playing/buying games, that's on top of the nearly 200 titles I own for PSVR 1&2.
The hate boner for VR is truly bizarre. It's a fun way to play games and it doesn't take resources away from any major studio, because they aren't supporting the medium. All people are doing is shitting on obscure indie devs, usually in Eastern Europe.
However, I suspect some of you might be more interested in VR if it allowed you to get you gay romance fix. Sadly, that seems to only be available in flat games like Assassin's Creed Shadows.
ShadyAcshuns
Member
Doesn't have legs, so can't swim.
ResurrectedContrarian
Suffers with mild autism
"howtogeek.com" pure clickbait article with no new info -- but I guess any excuse to keep the great VR debate going is fine by me.
VR is here to stay, absolutely. I can tell you this as a parent: VR has a much higher attach rate in the younger generation. They play Quest3 multiplayer games all the damn time. My son's friends all have one; probably the most ubiquitous console since nearly all his PS/Xbox/nintendo friends have a Quest and they meet up every night on it.
I don't think, however, that VR is here to replace traditional "I want a 4k screen and an Uncharted game" couch players. It's a different lane in gaming. I have zero interest in the main lane anymore, so it's a great place for me, with all kinds of new experiences where flat gaming has totally stagnated as a medium.
VR is here to stay, absolutely. I can tell you this as a parent: VR has a much higher attach rate in the younger generation. They play Quest3 multiplayer games all the damn time. My son's friends all have one; probably the most ubiquitous console since nearly all his PS/Xbox/nintendo friends have a Quest and they meet up every night on it.
I don't think, however, that VR is here to replace traditional "I want a 4k screen and an Uncharted game" couch players. It's a different lane in gaming. I have zero interest in the main lane anymore, so it's a great place for me, with all kinds of new experiences where flat gaming has totally stagnated as a medium.
DirtInUrEye
Member
You put the headset on, start steam link/virtual desktop and start the game. If that's too complicated for you.. well..
Work on your reading comprehension.
fart town usa
Member
A lot of people truly don't grasp how different VR is from flat. It sounds obvious, that they are completely different, but even headset owners struggle with it.
Think of flat games and how you are so used to animations, you get the timing down for reloading, dodging, etc. Many people seem to expect a 1:1 translation of that In VR but VR does not work that way. The dynamic nature of physical movement creates a lot of user error and you always have inherent VR jank that can be a hindrance to people.
For me, the sense of immersion itself is largely gone but I love the fact that VR puts me in the game, warts and all. Some games are truly rubbish to me but more often than not, VR titles engage me in such a different way. I love the way it makes me approach movement, gameplay, controls, etc. It's really hard to describe but it's so physically and mentally rewarding. There's nothing else like it and it's still the wild west for game design. Once you truly understand what each game allows you to do, you can absolutely bend it to your will. It's awesome.
Think of flat games and how you are so used to animations, you get the timing down for reloading, dodging, etc. Many people seem to expect a 1:1 translation of that In VR but VR does not work that way. The dynamic nature of physical movement creates a lot of user error and you always have inherent VR jank that can be a hindrance to people.
For me, the sense of immersion itself is largely gone but I love the fact that VR puts me in the game, warts and all. Some games are truly rubbish to me but more often than not, VR titles engage me in such a different way. I love the way it makes me approach movement, gameplay, controls, etc. It's really hard to describe but it's so physically and mentally rewarding. There's nothing else like it and it's still the wild west for game design. Once you truly understand what each game allows you to do, you can absolutely bend it to your will. It's awesome.
mopspear
Member
If you don't already know, some people are working on a no-VR mod for Half-Life Alyx: Half-Life Alyx NoVR Summer Update 2024
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
Standalone Quests are that easy.
DryvBy
Member
There's plenty of articles saying video games are dead/dying too. Some turd writing something doesn't mean it's true. A niche system having a niche audience is expected.
People want flexibility and ease of use. VR doesn't offer any of those things. It was always going to be a niche market.
No matter how "cool" it is, you're asking a lot from consumers to engage in this type of product. It requires too many sacrifices people aren't willing to give up.
No matter how "cool" it is, you're asking a lot from consumers to engage in this type of product. It requires too many sacrifices people aren't willing to give up.
SweetTooth
Gold Member
I would like to extend my Thanks to Sony, Meta, Oculus and even Apple, you tried your best, I loved my PSVR2 but the market is not yet ready not the technology is mature enough to be adopted by the masses.
Thank you
Thank you
Last edited:
onnextflix5
Member
The only way vr will take if they make headset thin and light and and more games like half life aylex, hopefully sony dont give up, it’s nearly there,
According to some VR has been "dying" every year yet even in these survey results more people have voted that it is growing than those who voted it's declining.
MacReady13
Member
I've heard the lenses aren't as good as the Quest 3, but is it a good VR headset? Quality of lenses still good?
reinking
Gold Member
Like future Xbox "consoles" VR is niche. 
I
VR but it is never going to be mainstream because it is inconvenient and isolating. Nothing will overcome those hurdles. I do believe AR will have a much better chance to go mainstream because it does not have the same hurdles. AR is getting closer and closer to throwing on a pair of glasses and syncing it to a device. That being said, I do believe that VR has its place and I hope it remains for a while longer.
I
VR but it is never going to be mainstream because it is inconvenient and isolating. Nothing will overcome those hurdles. I do believe AR will have a much better chance to go mainstream because it does not have the same hurdles. AR is getting closer and closer to throwing on a pair of glasses and syncing it to a device. That being said, I do believe that VR has its place and I hope it remains for a while longer.
Dural
Member
I love the Quest 2 and will be getting Quest 3 eventually. It's not just the games, it's great as a personal media consumption device. I always wanted those glasses from the Sony stores in the 90s that you could watch tv on, the Quest is just a much better version of it. They really need to add video input though, that's the one thing the Quest is missing.
Funny that the Quest works great to watch 3D movies.
Funny that the Quest works great to watch 3D movies.
Crayon
Member
Yep it's more like a niche thing, for now. There's been too few must-have games like GT7 or Alyx. I like VR but I'd play way more if there weren't so many amazing flat games competing for my time. Wish I could play some of them in VR with a hybrid mode. Damn that would be not just good enough, but great. Sad we got into this groove where everyone thinks vr games have to be specially designed so you can grab any useless piece of shit in a given scene. Or do little manipulation puzzles or any of that vraf stuff that seems more often done because you can't in a flat game.
Horizon cotm was a perfect example where you get a high-effort game with amazing graphics all for bow shooting and climbing. The first two things to get played out in vr.
Sword and shield fighting -one of the most intuitive ideas to use vr- actually sucks. It has to be adapted away form 1:1 motion and get halfway to a normal game to be any fun.
Shooting, cockpit, and cozy stuff is AMAZING. Luckily there are enough games to at least fill out those genres a bit.
Meta dragging down the baseline performance to fucking mobile graphics did not help.
Let's see if Deckard can bring anything to the table.
Horizon cotm was a perfect example where you get a high-effort game with amazing graphics all for bow shooting and climbing. The first two things to get played out in vr.
Sword and shield fighting -one of the most intuitive ideas to use vr- actually sucks. It has to be adapted away form 1:1 motion and get halfway to a normal game to be any fun.
Shooting, cockpit, and cozy stuff is AMAZING. Luckily there are enough games to at least fill out those genres a bit.
Meta dragging down the baseline performance to fucking mobile graphics did not help.
Let's see if Deckard can bring anything to the table.
diffusionx
Gold Member
That's interesting. I guess the questin is how much money is spent and how does this dynamic steer development in the future. It's clear that VR is struggling to get "gamers" to play "their" games in VR, hence the failure of very good games like AC Nexus.
DirtInUrEye
Member
Yeah... when I put on the Quest headset, it feels just like wearing a pair of glasses... yeah mate
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
Almost as easy, you pedantic. Do you also want a miracle like a handheld PC with the power of an 9950X3D + RTX 4090??
fart town usa
Member
I havent played a Q3 but I recently got a Q3s. I've put hundreds of hours into PSVR 1&2 and the Q3s clarity is stunning to me. The sweet spot is so easy to get and the visuals are great. Obviously not as good as PSVR2 but it's close enough for me, at least with the games I've played. The convenience of the sweet spot alone is leagues better than PSVR2.
It has me really curious how much better the Q3 itself is, but $300 for Q3s w/ Batman is such a steal, and then $60 for a years worth of Quest+, which has AW2, and $25 store credit as well, such a good deal. Eating good over here.
Last edited:
Fbh
Gold Member
Yeah.
Personally the only way I see VR even having a shot is if all the major players do more to work together. Treat it more like a type of display than a platform.
Put your games everywhere (at least after a while, you can have a timed exclusivity if you want) and make your devices cross compatible.
PSVR2 should have been compatible with PC day 1 and stuff like the Quest should be usable on Ps5.
I get it, Sony only wants you to buy stuff on PSN and Meta only wants you to buy stuff on their store. But I think this is one of those scenarios were even though working together would result in them missing out on some sales, they'd ultimately be making the entire VR segment more appealing and just bringing more people into the ecosystem. Aim to get 30% of an 80 million audience rather than 100% of a 2 million one.
Last edited:
fart town usa
Member
Funny enough, Arashi: Castles of Sin is probably my favorite use of swordplay in VR. Its not 1:1 in the slightest but it works as it should and was really fun to me. It's also one of the games that gets trashed because of its combat. The 1:1 physics based games feel goofy as hell to me. I enjoy them but there's this weird elitist aspect of VR where if it's not VRAF, it generally gets trashed. The VRAF games to me usually are the most jankiest/goofy games IMO.
There's definitely a try-hard element of VR youtubers where it's like they're too good to simply enjoy a game for what it is. Lots of gate keeping.
Last edited:
LordBritish
Member
once they figure out vr fatige and how to fix it (i can only do it for about an hour), it will be great.
sncvsrtoip
Member
GT7 VR saved this console generation for me
ResurrectedContrarian
Suffers with mild autism
I spend half my time just picking up objects or playing with the environment, lol. Alyx set the bar so high that I actually get a little annoyed with other games if I can't touch things. Batman did amazing work on this by the way, even more than Alyx in some ways since your virtual fingers flex and bend against things so well.
SirKicksalot
Member
The lenses are good enough to use a phone or laptop in passthrough mode.
Edge distortion is a minor issue, maybe when subtitles are displayed too low. But when I'm playing I barely notice any issues. It's a great little machine and it comes with the fantastic Batman game.
I'm currently playing HL2 VR, which is a better experience than Alyx IMO.
